Dutch side Feyenoord were the visitors at the EBB Stadium on Tuesday night as Chelsea's U23s kicked off their International Cup campaign.
Adi Viveash's side are currently five games unbeaten, a run which has seen them rise to fourth in the Premier League 2 table - and with one of the best records in the division, having lost only two games.
Feyenoord's academy is one of the best in Holland and boasts some famous graduates, including Robin van Persie, Georginio Wijnaldum and Bruno Martins Indi to name but a few.
The visitors have already played one game in the International Cup this season, losing to Swansea City in their opener, and they will be looking to get a vital three points from this match.
Key Events
That's all from us
Thanks for joining us as Chelsea get their International Cup campaign off and running - we’ll be back with another live blog for their game with Manchester United next Friday, if we manage to thaw out by then!
Chelsea U23s 2-1 Feyenoord
Here is our match report as Chelsea get three points in their opening International Cup game against Feyenoord.
Their next game at Aldershot is against Manchester United in the Premier League 2 on December 9 in another 7.05pm kick off.
FULL TIME: Chelsea 2-1 Feyenoord
Well well well, Chelsea turn it round with two goals in as many minutes to beat Feyenoord 2-1 and get their first three points of the International Trophy
Into additional time
The fourth official has just indicated four minutes of additional time, which means four more minutes that everyone in the EBB will have to freeze for
Into the final minutes
We’re into the final minutes here and Chelsea are within touching distance of the three points, can they hang on for their first win in the competition?
Ugbo goes into the book
Ugbo makes a needless challenge deep in the Feynoor half and gets a booking for his troubles
Football, what a game
How about that then?! Two quick fire goals have spun this game on its head and now Chelsea are heading for the three points.
Feyenoord were doing so well to stay disciplined but the pressure has taken its toll on the visitors and now they need a goal to salvage something from this game
ANOTHER GOAL: Chelsea 2-1 Feyenoord
It had to be Ugbo, didn’t it? The forward gets his name on the scoresheet and puts the Blues into the lead with a quickfire double - they’ve managed to turn it round here!
GOAL - Chelsea 1-1 Feyenoord
And just like that the Blues are level as Sterling manages to bundle the ball into the back of the net from inside the Feyenoord half! Game on!
Less than ten minutes left
Chelsea have less than ten minutes to salvage something from their opening International Cup tie
More match action
Some more match action from tonight’s game, including van Ginkel’s indirect free kick which came so close to levelling the score for Chelsea
Another Chelsea sub
van Ginkel makes way for Taylor-Crossdale - you have to feel there isn’t much of a future for the Dutchman at Chelsea
Everyone back for Feyenoord
Every single man in red and white is currently back defending - the furthest player forward is Robertha who is midway between Feyenoord’s box and the half way circle.
Can Chelsea break their lines?
Another Chelsea chance
It’s yet another chance for the Blues as the ball goes across the face of goal with no one able to get on the end of it!
Meanwhile, Nigel Robertha comes on to replace Hamer for Feyenoord
That has got to sting
Wandenberg proves he is a hero as he takes a fierce strike in the leg to block a Chelsea attempt and he goes down in a heap - on a cold night like this that has got to sting just a bit
Nearly through
Muheim nearly finds his way through the centre of the Feyenoord defence but is snuffed out at the last moment, surely Chelsea’s pressure will reap rewards soon?
Chelsea looking for an equaliser
It’s all Chelsea now after the sending off but they haven’t been able to penetrate the Feyenoord lines just yet
Substitution time
Dujon Sterling replaces Maddox, while a Feyenoord sub sees Tyreil Malacia replace El Hankouri
Basaoikoglu sent off!
He’s gone from hero to zero as Mr Hatzidakis sends Basoikoglu off for a foul after he gets his second yellow of the day.
It looked so promising for the Turkish U21 international after his goal had given Feyenoord the lead
Van Ginkel has a go
It’s ambitious, and ultimately rubbish but van Ginkel decides to have a go from 30 yards out, but he doesn’t connect cleanly and the ball bounces well wide of Hahn’s left hand post
Chelsea started better
Chelsea have started the second half the brightest of the two sides - at the moment the Feyenoord team that has come out for this half look nothing like the one that went into the dressing room at the end of the first half
The Essien fan club
Here is some of the Essien fan club that congregated next to the press area at half time - who thinks he could still do a job for Conte’s Chelsea?
Tom Cann’s picture is much better than mine so I’ve nicked it
Hacked off the line
Chelsea take the indirect free kick and it rebounds off two players before it’s blocked on the line and way to safety!
Back underway!
I’ve fought my way through the crowd waiting for Essien and we’re now back underway and Chelsea have an indirect free kick inside the Chelsea box...
Half time: Chelsea 0-1 Feyenoord
And that’s the half - It’s been a very good game of football so far, with decent chances for both sides.
Chelsea will be disappointed to be behind, however, after that Quintero header midway through the first half
Good chance for Feyenoord
Oooh! Gustafson gets a volley away after El Hankouri blitzed down the left win before putting a lovely ball into the box, but the striker doesn’t get his body over it and he fires just over Collin’s bar - good chance for the Dutch
Good Tuesday night entertainment
For a free game, this match hasn’t been half bad for value - despite it being an U23 game there’s been a real intensity to it with some wonderful football on display